Nutrition during preschool years is important for kids’ growth and learning, and to provide energy for high activity levels. but sometimes it can be hard to achieve. Don’t panic. Be patient it’s just a phase. Realize that what your kids eat over time is what matters. Having popcorn at the movies or eating an ice-cream are some of life’s real pleasures. As long as you balance these times with smart food choices and physical activity, your children will be fine.
Here are some tips to help you –
1. Let your child decide which of the foods offered he or she will eat, and how much to eat.
2. Keep to regular meal and snack times, taking into account your preschooler’s daytime naps. Offer three regular meals and two or three small, nutritious snacks and lots of fluids.
3. It’s better not to give your child a main meal just before a nap, as he is likely to be too tired to eat. Give him a small snack or drink instead and a meal when he wakes up.
4. Eat with your preschooler as often as possible and eat what you want him to eat. Children learn to like foods by trying them, but will often only try new foods that they see other people eating.
5. Each day, offer a variety of foods from the four nutritious food groups.
6. Always offer the same foods that everyone else is eating whenever you can, but make sure at least one of the foods is something you know that he likes.
7. Make meals interesting and fun. Always give both a savoury and sweet course with main meals. This gives your preschooler two opportunities to consume nutrients, and increases the variety of foods your child is eating.
Happy eating!!